Ads originating from an individual's profile on LinkedIn, known as thought leader ads, leverage authenticity and personal branding. They achieve significantly higher engagement—a 2.2x higher click-through rate—compared to traditional single-image ads from a company page, demonstrating the power of human-centric content.

As AI tools enable marketers to produce more content, engagement is dropping for overly polished materials. Marketers are seeing better results with authentic, "lo-fi" content like screenshot testimonials and "day-in-the-life" videos that feel more human and trustworthy, even in formal B2B industries.

The simple act of recording a selfie video while walking increases viewer retention. This "walk-and-talk" format achieves a 49% higher completion rate on LinkedIn and a 57% higher completion rate on Instagram. The movement and authentic, unscripted feel capture attention more effectively than static, polished videos.

As LinkedIn becomes saturated with generic, AI-generated content, the bar for standing out has ironically lowered. Simple acts of authenticity, like a personalized voice note or video message, now cut through 99% of the noise and generate significantly higher response rates.

Boosting posts directly from a person's profile (like a CEO or founder) performs significantly better than standard company ads. Users on LinkedIn engage more authentically with individuals than brands, leading to higher dwell times and lower costs.

Heike Young outlines a specific formula for high-performing LinkedIn videos. Success requires an integrated approach: a text title superimposed on the video, clear captions, a strong visual hook in the opening seconds, and a compelling hook in the accompanying text post to grab attention in the feed.

Data shows raw, authentic 'lo-fi' content significantly outperforms polished material. LinkedIn posts see 144% more engagement, Instagram gets 220% more, and email click-throughs rise 88%. This strategy works for all industries, including 'boring' B2B, because authentic human connection wins.

On LinkedIn, behind-the-scenes (BTS) video content significantly outperforms other formats, achieving a 200% higher engagement rate. This lo-fi approach, showing how products are made or offering glimpses into company culture, resonates strongly with the platform's professional audience, regardless of industry.

With 41% of LinkedIn content being AI-generated, users crave tangible value. Providing “stealable” assets like templates, checklists, or real email screenshots drives 40% more engagement. This approach offers immediate utility, cutting through the noise of generic, AI-driven advice and building audience trust.